Fly swatter



W. M GRAY FLY SWATTER Feb. 14, 1933,

Filed April 11, 1931 Patented Feb. 14, 1933 PATENT OFFICE WORTH M. GRAY, OF ELKIN, NORTH CAROLINA FLY SWATTER Application filed April 11,

This invention relates to a fly swatter, one of the objects being to provide a device of this character which is strong, can be manufactured at low cost, and will not scar surfaces struck by it.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of whatis claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device.

Figure 2 is a side view thereof.

Figure 3 is a section on 3-3, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail view of a portion of a modified structure.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates an elongated strip of wire fabric the side edges of which are bound with suitable tape 2 which is fastened by sewing or in any other way desired. This tape protects the edges of the wire fabric and also forms cushions for preventing the edges from scarring surfaces struck thereby.

The wire fabric strip is folded transversely at its center so as to provide two thicknesses as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The

5 ends of the strip are held by triangular layers 8 of leather, fabric or other strong flexible material. These layers are fastened to the fabric strip by means of staples 4 or the like. The handle of the fly swatter consists of two strands of relatively stifl wire twisted as shown at 5 and forming diverging arms 6 at one end terminating in fingers 7 which aline and extend toward each other. These arms and fingers thus form a triangularstructure adapted to be seated between layers 3. The several parts are held assembled by means of additional staples 8 which extend through the layers 3 near their edges and close to arms 6. One staple 9, can also straddle the handle close to the arms 6.

1931. Serial No. 529,476.

It will be noted that this structure can be assembled readily and at low cost. It is advantageous because the parts 2 and 3 form protecting means to prevent scarring and because the thicknesses 3 provide efficient means for joining the wire fabric to the handle.

If desired the parts can be joined by sewing instead of using staples, the stitches being used to hold the flexible material to the wire, fabric and to the triangular structure.

If desired, as shown in Figure 4, a wooden handle having a triangular structure at one end can be substituted for the wire handle.

The device is rendered very durable by having the flexible material between the wire fabric and the handle.

What is claimed is:

A fly swatter including a length of wire fabric, a protecting tape on each side edge of the fabric, said fabric having a single fold which is transversely thereof and provides a double thickness, separate thicknesses of flexible protecting material, extending throughout the width of the fabric, all portions of the transverse end edges of the fabric being extended between and concealed by said thicknesses, a handle having a triangular structure at one end seated between the protecting thicknesses of material and provided with a portion close to and parallel with the transverse ends of the fabric, staples joining said thicknesses at their edges to each other and to the wire fabric, and a staple connecting said thicknesses and straddling the handle, the staples and fabric cooperating to hold the triangular structure against movement relative to the wire fabric.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afixed my signature.

WORTH M. GRAY. 

